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In the era of liquid biopsy, microRNAs emerge as promising candidates for the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer, offering valuable insights into the disease's development. Among all the existing analytical approaches, even if traditional approaches such as the nucleic acid amplification ones have the advantages to be highly sensitive, they cannot be used at the point-of-care, while sensors might be poorly sensitive despite their portability. In order to improve the analytical performance of existing electroanalytical systems, we demonstrate how a simple chromatographic paper-based disk might be useful to rationally improve the sensitivity, depending on the number of preconcentration cycles. A paper-based electrochemical platform for miRNA detection has been developed by modifying a paper-based electrode with a methylene blue (MB)-modified single-stranded sequence (ssDNA) complementary to the chosen miRNA, namely miR-224 that is associated with lung cancer. A detection limit of ca. 0.6 nM has been obtained in spiked human serum samples. To further enhance the sensitivity, an external chromatographic wax-patterned paper-based disk has been adopted to preconcentrate the sample, and this has been demonstrated both in standard and in serum solutions. For each solution, three miR-224 levels have been preconcentrated, obtaining a satisfactory lowering detection limit of ca. 50 pM using a simple and sustainable procedure. This approach opens wide possibilities in the field of analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, being useful not only for electrochemistry but also for other architectures of detection and transduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Derived from the myeloid lineage, granulocytes, including basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils, along with mast cells, play important, often disparate, roles across the allergic disease spectrum. While these cells and their mediators are commonly associated with allergic inflammation, they also exhibit several functions either promoting or restricting tumor growth. In this Position Paper we discuss common granulocyte and mast cell features relating to immunomodulatory functions in allergy and in cancer. We highlight key mechanisms which may inform cancer treatment and propose pertinent areas for future research. We suggest areas where understanding the communication between granulocytes, mast cells, and the tumor microenvironment, will be crucial for identifying immune mechanisms that may be harnessed to counteract tumor development. For example, a comprehensive understanding of allergic and immune factors driving distinct neutrophil states and those mechanisms that link mast cells with immunotherapy resistance, might enable targeted manipulation of specific subpopulations, leading to precision immunotherapy in cancer. We recommend specific areas of investigation in AllergoOncology and knowledge exchange across disease contexts to uncover pertinent reciprocal functions in allergy and cancer and allow therapeutic manipulation of these powerful cell populations. These will help address the unmet needs in stratifying and managing patients with allergic diseases and cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specialized cancer treatments have the potential to exploit glutamine dependence to increase patient survival rates. Glutamine diagnostics capable of tracking a patient's response to treatment would enable a personalized treatment dosage to optimize the tradeoff between treatment success and dangerous side effects. Current clinical glutamine testing requires sophisticated and expensive lab-based tests, which are not broadly available on a frequent, individualized basis. To address the need for a low-cost, portable glutamine diagnostic, this work engineers a cell-free glutamine biosensor to overcome assay background and signal-to-noise limitations evident in previously reported studies. The findings from this work culminate in the development of a shelf-stable, paper-based, colorimetric glutamine test with a high signal strength and a high signal-to-background ratio for dramatically improved signal resolution. While the engineered glutamine test is important progress towards improving the management of cancer and other health conditions, this work also expands the assay development field of the promising cell-free biosensing platform, which can facilitate the low-cost detection of a broad variety of target molecules with high clinical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the influence that digital life stories (DLS) can have on cancer research, using the PARCA1 project as an example. After describing the theoretical framework of DLS, we present the PARCA1 project. The PARCA1 project was anchored in the French context (Grand Est region) and aimed at producing knowledge on patients' experience of the cancer pathway through DLS. It involved 10 patients chosen to favor heterogeneity in profiles and experiences of illness. The paper describes the digital tool and the life stories methodology used to accompany the DLS. Next, it presents the methods and strategies used by participants to complete their DLS and the relationship between people with cancer and the accompanying researcher. Following this, we present (1) the impact of DLS on people with cancer, i.e., their progressive engagement in research, and (2) the impact on research, i.e., the methodological impact of people with cancer on research. In the discussion and conclusion, we explore how DLS can impact individuals who engage in them and their role in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer, a disease with a high mortality rate, poses a great threat to patients' physical and mental health and can lead to huge medical costs and emotional damage. With the continuous development of artificial intelligence technologies, deep learning‐based cancer image segmentation techniques are becoming increasingly important in cancer detection and accurate diagnosis. However, in segmentation tasks, there are differences in efficiency between large and small objects and limited segmentation effects on objects of individual sizes. The previous segmentation frameworks still have room for improvement in multi‐scale collaboration when segmenting objects. Purpose: This paper proposes a method to train a deep learning segmentation framework using a feature pyramid processing dataset to improve the average precision (AP) index, and realizes multi‐scale cooperation in target segmentation. Objective: Pan‐Cancer Histology Dataset for Nuclei Instance Segmentation and Classification (PanNuke) dataset was selected to include approximately 7500 pathology images with cells from 19 different types of tissues, including five classifications of cancer, non‐cancer, inflammation, death, and connective tissue. Methods: First, the method uses whole‐slide images in the pan‐cancer histology dataset for nuclei instance segmentation and classification (PanNuke) dataset, combined with the mask region convolutional neural network (Mask R‐CNN) segmentation framework and improved loss function to segment and detect each cellular tissue in cancerous sections. Second, to address the problem of non‐synergistic object segmentation at different scales in cancerous tissue segmentation, a scheme using feature pyramids to process the dataset was adopted as part of the feature extraction module. Results: Extensive experimental results on this dataset show that the method in this paper yields 0.269 AP and a boost of about 4% compared to the original Mask R‐CNN framework. Conclusions: It is effective and feasible to use feature pyramid to process data set to improve the effect of medical image segmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To obtain a deeper understanding of peoples' experiences of cancer treatments with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Background: ICIs are transforming survival outcomes for many with certain advanced cancers. Given the possibility of unique immune‐related adverse events (irAEs), understanding treatment experiences is crucial to identify support needs and provide safe and effective person‐centred care. Design: A systematic review of qualitative research and thematic synthesis. To report this review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Analysis and Meta Analysis (PRISMA) checklist and Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidance have been used. Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science databases were searched in January 2022 for eligible studies published in English from database inception. Review Methods: Two reviewers independently screened records, identified papers for inclusion and appraised methodological quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Themes were developed using thematic synthesis. Results: Eighteen papers were included and three analytical themes developed: immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment decision‐making; the experience and impact of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments; and appraising and responding to irAEs. Conclusion: The synthesis renders visible individuals' unmet information, psychological and practical support needs. It identifies shortcomings in immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment decision‐making processes and highlights the need for healthcare professionals to recognise and sensitively handle individuals' treatment expectations. Individuals' understandings of and responses to irAEs are also illustrated, and attention drawn to patients' concerns about healthcare professionals' checkpoint inhibitor and irAEs knowledge. Implications for Patient Care: To sensitively manage treatment expectations and uncertainties, and optimise health outcomes, there are distinct points in treatment trajectories where care and support might require adapting and enhancing. Impact: This review addresses people's experiences of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments. The core findings reveal unmet information, psychological and practical support needs. Insights derived from this review will enhance individuals' experiences and outcomes and healthcare professionals' practice. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the psychological wellbeing of people with cancer is a key component of assessment and intervention in quality cancer care. However, the unique experiences of rural cancer populations are less often explored than those from urban centres. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of Australian studies that compared the psychological wellbeing experiences of people with cancer from rural and urban locations. Five databases were searched, and 19 studies, involving 16,947 participants, assessing and comparing the psychological wellbeing of rural and urban populations with cancer were included. The analysis indicated that Australian rural cancer populations have greater odds of worse psychological wellbeing than those from urban areas (OR = 1.54, 95% CI [1.01, 2.35], p = 0.044). This disparity remains when cancer types are analysed separately, with a slightly smaller odds ratio for rural people with breast cancer (OR = 1.29, 95%CI [1.01, 1.64], p = 0.046) and a slightly larger odds ratio when cancers excluding breast cancer were reviewed (OR = 1.78, 95% CI [1.59, 2.01], p = <.001). Significant heterogeneity was found. Despite increasing emphasis in Australia on psychological wellbeing throughout the cancer journey, there remain significant disparities whereby rural people experience greater impacts upon their psychological wellbeing. The wellbeing of Australian rural populations with cancer remains an area in which clinical and political focus is imperative. Whilst screening is a necessary first step, additional clinical implications for improving rural access to appropriately skilled health professionals who provide oncology-specific assessment and intervention are suggested. What is already known: Cancer is a major public health issue, and its psychosocial impacts are substantial, not just on patients but on their families and the broader community. The prevalence of clinically significant psychological distress is higher amongst people with cancer than the general population. However, identification, treatment, and provision of psychological support is inconsistent across services and geographical areas, and notably lacking in rural areas. Disparities in screening, assessment and intervention for psychological wellbeing in people with cancer remain, despite the fact that systematic application of screening, appropriate referral, and intervention can improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs associated with inpatient and outpatient cancer care. What this paper adds: This article extends outcomes from previous systematic reviews and analyses from Australia and internationally with the addition of meta-analytic methods. It was specifically designed to solely focus on Australian cancer populations. The results suggest that Australian rural populations with cancer may have anywhere from 30% to 70% greater odds of experiencing poorer psychological wellbeing than those from urban areas. This paper highlights ongoing disparities in rural psycho-oncology that may be impacting wellbeing outcomes from rural people in Australia, and urges psychologists, other health professionals, and policy-makers to proactively address these inequities with improved screening, assessment and intervention for their rural populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, spatial transcriptomics (ST) research has become a popular field of study and has shown great potential in medicine. However, there are few bibliometric analyses in this field. Thus, in this study, we aimed to find and analyze the frontiers and trends of this medical research field based on the available literature. A computerized search was applied to the WoSCC (Web of Science Core Collection) Database for literature published from 2006 to 2023. Complete records of all literature and cited references were extracted and screened. The bibliometric analysis and visualization were performed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix R Package software, and Scimago Graphica. A total of 1467 papers and reviews were included. The analysis revealed that the ST publication and citation results have shown a rapid upward trend over the last 3 years. Nature Communications and Nature were the most productive and most co-cited journals, respectively. In the comprehensive global collaborative network, the United States is the country with the most organizations and publications, followed closely by China and the United Kingdom. The author Joakim Lundeberg published the most cited paper, while Patrik L. Ståhl ranked first among co-cited authors. The hot topics in ST are tissue recognition, cancer, heterogeneity, immunotherapy, differentiation, and models. ST technologies have greatly contributed to in-depth research in medical fields such as oncology and neuroscience, opening up new possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Moreover, artificial intelligence and big data drive additional development in ST fields. Spatial transcriptomics (ST) technologies and application prospects. (1) Imaging-based approaches, including in situ sequencing (ISS)—where transcripts are amplified and sequenced in tissue—and ISH-based approaches—where imaging probes are sequentially hybridized in tissue. (2) NGS-based techniques, in which positional information is encoded onto transcripts prior to NGS sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) emerge in various organisms, ranging from viruses to humans, and play crucial regulatory roles within cells, participating in a variety of biological processes. In numerous prediction methods for miRNA-disease associations, the issue of over-dependence on both similarity measurement data and the association matrix still hasn't been improved. In this paper, a miRNA-Disease association prediction model (called TP-MDA) based on tree path global feature extraction and fully connected artificial neural network (FANN) with multi-head self-attention mechanism is proposed. The TP-MDA model utilizes an association tree structure to represent the data relationships, multi-head self-attention mechanism for extracting feature vectors, and fully connected artificial neural network with 5-fold cross-validation for model training. Results: The experimental results indicate that the TP-MDA model outperforms the other comparative models, AUC is 0.9714. In the case studies of miRNAs associated with colorectal cancer and lung cancer, among the top 15 miRNAs predicted by the model, 12 in colorectal cancer and 15 in lung cancer were validated respectively, the accuracy is as high as 0.9227. Conclusions: The model proposed in this paper can accurately predict the miRNA-disease association, and can serve as a valuable reference for data mining and association prediction in the fields of life sciences, biology, and disease genetics, among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Personalised prevention aims to delay or avoid disease occurrence, progression, and recurrence of disease through the adoption of targeted interventions that consider the individual biological, including genetic data, environmental and behavioural characteristics, as well as the socio-cultural context. This protocol summarises the main features of a rapid scoping review to show the research landscape on biomarkers or a combination of biomarkers that may help to better identify subgroups of individuals with different risks of developing specific diseases in which specific preventive strategies could have an impact on clinical outcomes. This review is part of the "Personalised Prevention Roadmap for the future HEalThcare" (PROPHET) project, which seeks to highlight the gaps in current personalised preventive approaches, in order to develop a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for the European Union. Objective: To systematically map and review the evidence of biomarkers that are available or under development in cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases that are or can be used for personalised prevention in the general population, in clinical or public health settings. Methods: Three rapid scoping reviews are being conducted in parallel (February–June 2023), based on a common framework with some adjustments to suit each specific condition (cancer, cardiovascular or neurodegenerative diseases). Medline and Embase will be searched to identify publications between 2020 and 2023. To shorten the time frames, 10% of the papers will undergo screening by two reviewers and only English-language papers will be considered. The following information will be extracted by two reviewers from all the publications selected for inclusion: source type, citation details, country, inclusion/exclusion criteria (population, concept, context, type of evidence source), study methods, and key findings relevant to the review question/s. The selection criteria and the extraction sheet will be pre-tested. Relevant biomarkers for risk prediction and stratification will be recorded. Results will be presented graphically using an evidence map. Inclusion criteria: Population: general adult populations or adults from specific pre-defined high-risk subgroups; concept: all studies focusing on molecular, cellular, physiological, or imaging biomarkers used for individualised primary or secondary prevention of the diseases of interest; context: clinical or public health settings. Systematic review registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/7JRWD (OSF registration DOI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents psychology of working theory (PWT) as a framework for addressing career concerns faced by those with chronic health issues. PWT is a relevant framework for contextualizing the lived experiences of clients navigating work and chronic illness. Specifically, individuals with chronic health conditions may face additional barriers to their career development and are at risk for higher incidences of workplace discrimination, job stress, and job loss. Core elements of PWT outlined in this paper are applied to a case study of a client with breast cancer. More specifically, the constructs of decent work, critical consciousness, and career adaptability are applied at the level of the individual and systemic interventions. Issues of equity, access, intersectionality, power, and privilege are highlighted as they relate to the context of work. We offer suggestions for advocacy for career counselors working with clients with chronic illness navigating work and careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Accurately predicting survival in patients with cancer receiving palliative radiotherapy is important for clinical decision making in cancer care management and delivery. This remains a challenge due to the heterogeneity of cancer diagnoses and a wide variety of prognostic factors. This study aims to review the literature to identify prognostic factors for clinical use as well as prognostic tools available to clinicians treating this population of patients. Based on the literature, we formulated evidence-based recommendations for clinicians to implement into practice with the intention of improving prognostic accuracy and overall patient care. (1) Background: Prognostication in patients with cancer receiving palliative radiotherapy remains a challenge. To improve the process, we aim to identify prognostic factors in this population from the literature and offer evidence-based recommendations on prognostication in patients undergoing palliative radiotherapy for non-curable or advanced cancers. (2) Methods: A systematic review was performed on the medical literature from 2005 to 2023 to extract papers on the prognosis of palliative radiotherapy patients with advanced cancer. The initial selection was performed by at least two authors to determine study relevance to the target area. Studies were then classified based on type and evidence quality to determine final recommendations. (3) Results: The literature search returned 57 papers to be evaluated. Clinical and biological prognostic factors were identified from these papers to improve clinical decision making or construct prognostic models. Twenty prognostic models were identified for clinical use. There is moderate evidence supporting (i) evidence-based factors (patient, clinical, disease, and lab) in guiding decision making around palliative radiation; (ii) that certain biological factors are of importance; (iii) prognostication models in patients with advanced cancer; and that (iv) SBRT or re-irradiation use can be guided by predictions of survival by prognostic scores or clinicians. Patients with more favorable prognoses are generally better suited to SBRT or re-irradiation, and the use of prognostic models can aid in this decision making. (4) Conclusions: This evaluation has identified several factors or tools to aid in prognosis and clinical decision making. Future studies should aim to further validate these tools and factors in a clinical setting, including the leveraging of electronic medical records for data availability. To increase our understanding of how causal factors interact with palliative radiotherapy, future studies should also examine and include prediction of response to radiation as an outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation: Drug combination therapies have shown promise in clinical cancer treatments. However, it is hard to experimentally identify all drug combinations for synergistic interaction even with high-throughput screening due to the vast space of potential combinations. Although a number of computational methods for drug synergy prediction have proven successful in narrowing down this space, fusing drug pairs and cell line features effectively still lacks study, hindering current algorithms from understanding the complex interaction between drugs and cell lines. Results: In this paper, we proposed a Permutable feature fusion network for Drug-Drug Synergy prediction, named PermuteDDS. PermuteDDS takes multiple representations of drugs and cell lines as input and employs a permutable fusion mechanism to combine drug and cell line features. In experiments, PermuteDDS exhibits state-of-the-art performance on two benchmark data sets. Additionally, the results on independent test set grouped by different tissues reveal that PermuteDDS has good generalization performance. We believed that PermuteDDS is an effective and valuable tool for identifying synergistic drug combinations. It is publicly available at https://github.com/littlewei-lazy/PermuteDDS. Scientific contribution: First, this paper proposes a permutable feature fusion network for predicting drug synergy termed PermuteDDS, which extract diverse information from multiple drug representations and cell line representations. Second, the permutable fusion mechanism combine the drug and cell line features by integrating information of different channels, enabling the utilization of complex relationships between drugs and cell lines. Third, comparative and ablation experiments provide evidence of the efficacy of PermuteDDS in predicting drug-drug synergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA methylation is widespread in nature. Abnormal expression of proteins associated with RNA methylation is strongly associated with a number of human diseases including cancer. Increasing evidence suggests that targeting RNA methylation holds promise for cancer treatment. This review specifically describes several common RNA modifications, such as the relatively well‐studied N6‐methyladenosine, as well as 5‐methylcytosine and pseudouridine (Ψ). The regulatory factors involved in these modifications and their roles in RNA are also comprehensively discussed. We summarise the diverse regulatory functions of these modifications across different types of RNAs. Furthermore, we elucidate the structural characteristics of these modifications along with the development of specific inhibitors targeting them. Additionally, recent advancements in small molecule inhibitors targeting RNA modifications are presented to underscore their immense potential and clinical significance in enhancing therapeutic efficacy against cancer. Key Points: In this paper, several important types of RNA modifications and their related regulatory factors are systematically summarised.Several regulatory factors related to RNA modification types were associated with cancer progression, and their relationships with cancer cell migration, invasion, drug resistance and immune environment were summarised.In this paper, the inhibitors targeting different regulators that have been proposed in recent studies are summarised in detail, which is of great significance for the development of RNA modification regulators and cancer treatment in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The physical challenges faced by adolescents and young adults (AYA) after a cancer diagnosis may be different from those experienced by paediatric and older adult cancer patients. Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) are valuable tools that can be useful in exploring the experiences of AYAs and identifying important issues, recurrent themes and areas to potentially improve quality of life. Objective: We compared patient‐reported physical function outcomes between AYAs diagnosed with cancer and non‐cancer controls. Method: This paper builds on a scoping review published in early 2023 and focuses on PROMs related to physical function. Results: This systematic review includes 16 studies that measured and reported on physical function PROMs in AYA cancer survivors compared with their cancer‐free peers. Of these studies, 14 found that physical function in AYA survivors was significantly worse. This paper also includes a meta‐analysis conducted on 5 studies using the EORTC‐QLQ‐C30 to measure physical function, which found that physical function score was an average of 7.03 (95% CI: −10.21, −3.86) points lower in the AYA cancer group, compared to their cancer free‐peers, a difference that is clinically meaningful. Conclusions: The results overwhelmingly demonstrate that AYAs post a cancer diagnosis have worse health‐related quality of life from a physical function perspective than their cancer‐free peers, providing a compelling argument for the need to address this issue. All but one of the studies were cross‐sectional, which highlights the need for further assessment of this group longitudinally throughout their cancer journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary tumors can inhibit the growth of secondary lesions, particularly metastases, in a phenomenon termed "concomitant resistance". Several mechanisms have been proposed for this effect, each supported by experimental data. In this paper, we hypothesize that concomitant resistance is a form of hormesis, a biphasic dose response in which a stimulus has a positive and/or stimulatory effect at low dosages and a negative, inhibitory, and/or toxic effect at higher dosages. When this paradigm applies to tumorigenesis, it is referred to as "cancer hormesis". Thus, low numbers of benign neoplastic cells or less tumorigenic malignant cells may result in resistance to the development of malignant neoplasms, including metastases. A host containing a number of (less tumorigenic) neoplastic cells may exhibit greater protection against more tumorigenic malignant neoplasms than a host who lacks neoplastic cells, or who has too few neoplastic cells to stimulate a protective response. As a theoretical endeavor, this paper also proposes that cancer hormesis can be leveraged for therapeutic purposes, by the implantation of safely controlled, benign artificial tumors in high-risk patients. These tumors would prevent the development of endogenous malignant neoplasms by creating an inhibitory environment for such growth. Strategies for testing the hypothesis are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the diverse and significant roles of curcumin, a polyphenolic compound from the Curcuma longa plant, in the context of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Distinguished by its unique molecular structure, curcumin exhibits potent biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential anticancer effects. The research comprehensively investigates curcumin's molecular interactions with key proteins involved in cancer progression and the inflammatory response, primarily through molecular docking studies. In cancer, curcumin's effectiveness is determined by examining its interaction with pivotal proteins like CDK2, CK2α, GSK3β, DYRK2, and EGFR, among others. These interactions suggest curcumin's potential role in impeding cancer cell proliferation and survival. Additionally, the paper highlights curcumin's impact on inflammation by examining its influence on proteins such as COX-2, CRP, PDE4, and MD-2, which are central to the inflammatory pathway. In vitro and clinical studies are extensively reviewed, shedding light on curcumin's binding mechanisms, pharmacological impacts, and therapeutic application in various cancers and inflammatory conditions. These studies are pivotal in understanding curcumin's functionality and its potential as a therapeutic agent. Conclusively, this review emphasizes the therapeutic promise of curcumin in treating a wide range of health issues, attributed to its complex chemistry and broad pharmacological properties. The research points towards curcumin's growing importance as a multi-faceted natural compound in the medical and scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Stop Cancer PAIN Trial was a phase III pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial which compared effectiveness of screening and guidelines with or without implementation strategies for improving pain in adults with cancer attending six Australian outpatient comprehensive cancer centres (n = 688). A system for pain screening was introduced before observation of a 'control' phase. Implementation strategies introduced in the 'intervention' phase included: (1) audit of adherence to guideline recommendations, with feedback to clinical teams; (2) health professional education via an email-administered 'spaced education' module; and (3) a patient education booklet and self-management resource. Selection of strategies was informed by the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) Model (Michie et al., 2011) and evidence for each strategy's stand-alone effectiveness. A consultant physician at each centre supported the intervention as a 'clinical champion'. However, fidelity to the intervention was limited, and the Trial did not demonstrate effectiveness. This paper reports a sub-study of the Trial which aimed to identify factors inhibiting or enabling fidelity to inform future guideline implementation initiatives. Methods: The qualitative sub-study enabled in-depth exploration of factors from the perspectives of personnel at each centre. Clinical champions, clinicians and clinic receptionists were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Analysis used a framework method and a largely deductive approach based on the COM-B Model. Results: Twenty-four people participated, including 15 physicians, 8 nurses and 1 clinic receptionist. Coding against the COM-B Model identified 'capability' to be the most influential component, with 'opportunity' and 'motivation' playing largely subsidiary roles. Findings suggest that fidelity could have been improved by: considering the readiness for change of each clinical setting; better articulating the intervention's value proposition; defining clinician roles and responsibilities, addressing perceptions that pain care falls beyond oncology clinicians' scopes of practice; integrating the intervention within existing systems and processes; promoting patient-clinician partnerships; investing in clinical champions among senior nursing and junior medical personnel, supported by medical leaders; and planning for slow incremental change rather than rapid uptake. Conclusions: Future guideline implementation interventions may require a 'meta-implementation' approach based on complex systems theory to successfully integrate multiple strategies. Trial registration: Registry: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; number: ACTRN 12615000064505; data: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspxid=367236&isReview=true. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral fluid intake decreases in advanced cancer in the dying phase of illness. There is inadequate evidence to support the assessment, and management, of hydration in the dying. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a body composition assessment tool. BIA has the potential to inform clinal management in advanced cancer, by examining the relationships between hydration status and clinical variables. Aim: BIA was used to determine the association between hydration status, symptoms, clinical signs, quality-of-life and survival in advanced cancer, including those who are dying (i.e. in the last week of life). Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of people with advanced cancer in three centres. Advance consent methodology was used to conduct hydration assessments in the dying. Total body water was estimated using the BIA Impedance index (Height – H (m)2 /Resistance – R (Ohms)). Backward regression was used to identify factors (physical signs, symptoms, quality of life) that predicted H2/R. Participants in the last 7 days of life were further assessed with BIA to assess hydration changes, and its relationship with clinical outcomes. Results: One hundred and twenty-five people participated (males n = 74 (59.2%), females, n = 51 (40.8%)). We used backward regression analysis to describe a statistical model to predict hydration status in advanced cancer. The model demonstrated that 'less hydration' (lower H2/R) was associated with female sex (Beta = -0.39, p < 0.001), increased appetite (Beta = -0.12, p = 0.09), increased dehydration assessment scale score (dry mouth, dry axilla, sunken eyes - Beta = -0.19, p = 0.006), and increased breathlessness (Beta = -0.15, p = 0.03). 'More hydration' (higher H2/R) was associated with oedema (Beta = 0.49, p < 0.001). In dying participants (n = 18, 14.4%), hydration status (H2/R) was not significantly different compared to their baseline measurements (n = 18, M = 49.6, SD = 16.0 vs. M = 51.0, SD = 12.1; t(17) = 0.64, p = 0.53) and was not significantly associated with agitation (rs = -0.85, p = 0.74), pain (rs = 0.31, p = 0.23) or respiratory tract secretions (rs = -0.34, p = 0.19). Conclusions: This is the first study to use bioimpedance to report a model (using clinical factors) to predict hydration status in advanced cancer. Our data demonstrates the feasibility of using an advance consent method to conduct research in dying people. This method can potentially improve the evidence base (and hence, quality of care) for the dying. Future BIA research can involve hydration assessment of cancers (according to type and stage) and associated variables (e.g., stage of illness, ethnicity and gender). Further work can use BIA to identify clinically relevant outcomes for hydration studies and establish a core outcome set to evaluate how hydration affects symptoms and quality-of-life in cancer. Key message: What is already known about this topic? - Oral fluid intake decreases in people with advanced cancer, especially when they approach the dying phase of their illness. - There is inadequate evidence to support hydration assessment and decision making in the dying phase of illness. - It is important to understand which clinical factors are associated with hydration status in advanced cancer, to enable healthcare professionals, to evaluate hydration status and support clinical decision making. - Bioimpedance is a non-invasive technology, which has potential to identify clinically relevant variables for cancer hydration assessment. What this paper adds. - This is the first study to use bioimpedance to report a model (using clinical factors) to predict hydration status in advanced cancer. - The variables with combined significance for predicting hydration status were biological sex, appetite, dry mouth, dry axilla, sunken eyes, breathlessness and oedema. In the dying phase, hydration status did not significantly change compared to baseline, and hydration status was not significantly associated with survival. Implications for practice, theory or policy. - Further work can use bioimpedance to identify clinically relevant outcomes for hydration studies, to establish a core outcome set to evaluate how hydration affects symptoms and quality-of-life in cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell death is one of the most important mechanisms of maintaining homeostasis in our body. Ferroptosis and pyroptosis are forms of necrosis-like cell death. These cell death modalities play key roles in the pathophysiology of cancer, cardiovascular, neurological diseases, and other pathologies. Transition metals are abundant group of elements in all living organisms. This paper presents a summary of ferroptosis and pyroptosis pathways and their connection to significant transition metals, namely zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), uranium (U), platinum (Pt), and one crucial element, selenium (Se). Authors aim to summarize the up-to-date knowledge of this topic. In this review, there are categorized and highlighted the most common patterns in the alterations of ferroptosis and pyroptosis by transition metals. Special attention is given to zinc since collected data support its dual nature of action in both ferroptosis and pyroptosis. All findings are presented together with a brief description of major biochemical pathways involving mentioned metals and are visualized in attached comprehensive figures. This work concludes that the majority of disruptions in the studied metals' homeostasis impacts cell fate, influencing both death and survival of cells in the complex system of altered pathways. Therefore, this summary opens up the space for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various reviews and meta‐analyses have shown the positive effects of mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs) on the mental health of cancer patients and survivors. Some studies have also investigated the impact of MBIs on physiological markers of health in oncology, but a systematic review has not been conducted in this field. The current paper aims to fill this gap in the literature. Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses 2020 guidelines, data were obtained from the databases of Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science in May 2022. Twenty‐five studies were included. Globally, 35 biomarkers were employed in these studies and were categorized 8 groups (cortisol; blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and respiratory rate; C‐reactive protein; telomere length and telomerase activity (TA); genetic signature; cytokines and hormones; leucocyte activation; leucocyte count and cell subpopulation analysis). In seven of these categories of biomarkers, positive effects of MBIs were observed. The most promising results were obtained for cortisol, BP, TA and pro‐inflammatory gene expression. However, the generally low number of studies per single biomarker limits the possibility to draw reliable conclusions. The present review presents a comprehensive state‐of‐the‐art for MBIs in oncology on biomarkers, confirming MBIs' potential for improving physiological health in cancer patients and survivors besides those already shown in literature on psychological well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimal residual disease (MRD), a measure of residual cancer cells, is a concept increasingly employed in precision oncology, touted as a key predictive biomarker to guide treatment decisions. This paper critically analyzes the expanding role of MRD as a predictive biomarker in hematologic cancers. I outline the argument for MRD as a predictive biomarker, articulating its premises and the empirical conditions that must hold for them to be true. I show how these conditions, while met in paradigmatic cases of MRD use in cancer, may not hold across other cancers where MRD is currently being applied, weakening the argument that MRD serves as an effective predictive biomarker across cancer medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many studies have investigated the role of metals in various types of malignancies. Considering the wide range of studies conducted in this field and the achievement of different results, the presented systematic review was performed to obtain the results of investigations on the prevention and occurrence of various types of cancer associated with metal exposures. Methods: In this review, research was conducted in the three databases: Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science without historical restrictions until May 31, 2024. Animal studies, books, review articles, conference papers, and letters to the editors were omitted. The special checklist of Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) was used for the quality assessment of the articles. Finally, the findings were classified according to the effect of the metal as preventive or carcinogenic. Results: The total number of retrieved articles was 4695, and 71 eligible results were used for further investigation. In most studies, the concentration of toxic metals such as lead (Pb), chromium (Cr (VI)), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) in the biological and clinical samples of cancer patients was higher than that of healthy people. In addition, the presence of essential elements, such as selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in tolerable low concentrations was revealed to have anti-cancer properties, while exposure to high concentrations has detrimental health effects. Conclusions: Metals have carcinogenic effects at high levels of exposure. Taking preventive measures, implementing timely screening, and reducing the emission of metal-associated pollutants can play an effective role in reducing cancer rates around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Existing literature has sought to characterize the broad cognitive impact of non-central nervous system cancer and its treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and hormonal regulation. However, despite the frequency of women that are diagnosed with breast and gynecological cancer, there is limited research on the specific cognitive experiences of women undergoing cancer treatment. Presently, the current literature lacks concise guidance for neuropsychologists to support the cognitive health of women facing cancer, despite the acknowledged impact of cancer interventions and chronic illness on cognitive outcomes. Method: Applying scoping review criteria outlined by Peters et al. (2015) and adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive examination of literature spanning multiple databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, PsychINFO) with a focus on the cognitive impact of cancer treatment on women. Conclusions: Women are subject to unique treatment-related outcomes due to the impact of hormonal alterations, differences in metabolization of certain chemotherapies, and psychosocial risk factors. Despite the known impact of cancer intervention, chronic illness, and cancer-related sequelae on cognitive outcomes, the current literature does not parsimoniously outline best practices for neuropsychologists to promote the health of women experiencing cancer. The current paper (1) provides an overview of the cognitive implications of cancer treatment with an intentional focus on cancers that are more prevalent in women versus men, (2) addresses the characteristics of this impact for women undergoing cancer intervention(s), and (3) provides possible intervention and treatment strategies for mental health providers and neuropsychologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic affected cancer service delivery and the feasibility of following the standard treatment guidelines. The present paper describes the use of clinical care guidelines for cancer management in routine practice and the approach adopted towards cancer care during the COVID‐19 pandemic in India. Methods: A web‐based survey was done in 107 hospitals (including public and private health facilities) that hosted Hospital‐Based Cancer Registries under the National Cancer Registry Programme. The participants comprised Principal Investigators of these registries, who were also medical, surgical, and radiation oncology clinicians. The survey was done between May 1, 2021, and July 31, 2021. Participants were provided with a web link for the survey questionnaire, confidential login, and password. Results: The study found high utilization of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) during practice, with eight out of ten physicians constantly to referring them. The study reported lack of knowledge, skills, and training to administer the treatment based on the guidelines followed by organizational infrastructure and affordability of treatment by the patients as the factors hampering utilization. International clinical guidelines were preferred when compared to national guidelines. The COVID‐19 pandemic decreased the use of CPGs, wherein six out of ten clinicians reported their use. Conclusion: Stakeholders who formulate clinical guidelines must consider the practical aspects and feasibility of implementing such guidelines during a pandemic and similar situations. This should be coupled with adequate changes in care practice to ensure optimal care delivery and a continuum of cancer care in routine and pandemic‐imposed situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cancer is associated with an urgent need for understandable and reliable information, which is often not satisfied by information available online. Therefore, as part of the PIKKO project, a web-based knowledge database (WDB) was introduced to provide cancer patients with quality-assured, evidence-based information. This paper aims to provide insights into the usage (Who? How? What?) and the effects regarding health literacy of the WDB. Methods: A patient survey and automatically generated logfile data were evaluated. Two user groups, patients and patient navigators (PNs), were compared. Results: The 13 PNs were responsible for 1/3 of all accesses over the entire duration of the project. The 413 patients used WDB twice on average and spent an average of 12 min per session online (PNs: 9 min per session, more frequently). The top 3 topics of interest were ‘therapy’, ‘nutrition’ and ‘carcinogenesis’ for the patients, and ‘therapy’, ‘naturopathy’ and ‘legal regulations/support’ for the PNs. Of the patients surveyed, 69% said that WDB was helpful in making informed decisions, 76% found the information they wanted and 90% thought WDB was an appropriate way to provide information. Conclusion: Our WDB provided important information about cancer and its treatment on a digital way both, to patients and PNs. In routine cancer care, the WDB can improve health literacy and informed decision-making. Trial registration: This study was retrospectively registered in the German Clinical Trial Register under DRKS00016703 (21 Feb 2019, retrospectively registered). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the therapeutic potential of twenty-first century music as a means of supplementary therapeutic care for cancer survivorship. It presents a study of songs by Rihanna, Beyoncé, Adele, Coldplay, and Imagine Dragons, which combines the analysis of relevant music features and conceptual metaphors in the lyrics to examine the effect of the songs on the audience. The main aim of this study was to highlight the emotional and cognitive impact of these songs on listeners and identify their potential role in improving the psychological condition of patients with cancer who are downtrodden or reeling from the pain of surgery, chemotherapy, and side effects of treatment. This article adopts the conceptual metaphorical framework proposed by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) and the metaphor identification procedure (MIP) (Pragglejazz group, 2007) to examine the targeted use of metaphors features in the lyrics of the selected songs. The findings show that although there is a therapeutic potential associated with the songs analyzed, there are also potential risks for patients with cancer. “”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a mathematical model is given that depicts the interactions between cancer cells and viruses in the setting of oncolytic virotherapy. The model is separated into three classes, namely, concentrations of uninfected tumor cells in the population “ U$$ \mathcal{U} $$”, free virus “ V$$ \mathcal{V} $$”, and cancerous cells infected “ I$$ \mathcal{I} $$”. Applying Caputo fractional derivative, the model is fractionalized, and using generalized Bessel polynomials, an optimal problem is solved utilizing Lagrange multipliers method. The results show that the presented method has high accuracy and is suitable for solving the nonlinear systems based on partial differential equations especially tumors models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, can cause skin side effects. These are called 'dermatologic toxicities' or 'skin toxicities'. There are many different types of skin toxicities, some of which can not only affect the quality of life but also lead to cancer treatment being stopped or slowed down. This paper gives an overview of 12 of the most common skin toxicities experienced by people receiving cancer treatment. These include rashes, dry skin, skin irritation, hair loss, changes in skin colouring, and itching. We have provided Australia/New Zealand-specific recommendations on how skin toxicities can be prevented and managed, including the role of dermocosmetic solutions. Cancer systemic therapeutics and radiotherapy are often associated with dermatological toxicities that may reduce patients' quality of life and impact their course of cancer treatment. These toxicities cover a wide range of conditions that can be complex to manage with increasing severity. This review provides details on twelve common dermatological toxicities encountered during cancer treatment and offers measures for their prevention and management, particularly in the Australian/New Zealand context where skincare requirements may differ to other regions due to higher cumulative sun damage caused by high ambient ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Given the frequency of these dermatological toxicities, a proactive phase is envisaged where patients can actively try to prevent skin toxicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is now a common term closely associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage. IA is the bulging of a blood vessel caused by a weakening of its wall. This bulge can rupture and, in most cases, cause internal bleeding. In most cases, internal bleeding leads to death or other fatal consequences. Therefore, the development of an automated system for detecting IA is needed to help physicians make more accurate diagnoses. For this reason, we have focused on this problem. In this paper, we propose a 2D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based on a network commonly used for data classification in medicine. In addition to our proposed network, we also tested ResNet 50, ResNet 101 and ResNet 152 on a publicly available dataset. In this case, ResNet 152 achieved better results than our proposed network, but our network was significantly smaller and the classifications took significantly less time. Our proposed network achieved an overall accuracy of 98%. This result was achieved on a dataset consisting of 611 images. In addition to the mentioned networks, we also experimented with the VGG network, but it was not suitable for this type of data and achieved only 20%. We compare the results in this work with neural networks that have been verified by the scientific community, and we believe that the results obtained by us can help in the creation of an automated system for the detection of IA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the hottest topics in biomedical research is to decipher the functional implications of the Gasdermin (GSDM) protein family in human pathologies. These proteins are the key effectors of a lytic and pro‐inflammatory cell death type termed pyroptosis (also known as "Gasdermin‐mediated programmed cell death"). However, ever‐growing evidence showed that GSDMs can play multiple and complex roles in a context‐dependent manner. In this sense, Gasdermin‐B (GSDMB; the only GSDM gene absent in mice and rats) has been implicated in antibacterial defense, numerous inflammatory pathologies (e.g., asthma, ulcerative colitis), and cancer, but both cell death‐dependent and ‐independent functions have been reported in these diseases, fueling the debate on whether GSDMB has genuine pyroptotic capacity. Recently, a series of seminal papers cast light on the GSDMB multitasking capacity by showing that different GSDMB transcriptional isoforms have distinct biological activities. Nonetheless, there are still obscure areas to be clarified on the precise functional involvement of GSDMB translated variants in physiological and pathological conditions. In this viewpoint, we critically discuss the most recent and exciting data on this topic and propose a series of relevant challenges that need to be overcome before GSDMB‐driven biomedical applications (as a biomarker of disease risk/progression/outcome or as specific therapeutic target) become a reality in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are evolving the landscape of cancer treatment and have significantly improved the outcomes of relapsed or refractory cancer patients. As increasing BsAbs entered clinical practice, specific toxicities have emerged, and renal side-effects have been described. However, there are a lack of studies analyzing the nephrotoxicity in the anti-cancer BsAbs recipients systematically. In this review, we demonstrate the etiologies, mechanisms, other risk factors and treatment options of kidney injury in the BsAbs recipients to provide a more comprehensive insight into the nephrotoxicity post-BsAbs therapy. Significantly, due to the limited clinical trial data on each subject, we mainly conclude the related etiologies, mechanisms, and risk factors of nephrotoxicity that occur in T-cell-engaging BsAbs recipients. Nephrotoxicity associated with non-T-cell BsAbs may be associated with adverse nephrotoxicity of related monoclonal antibodies to two specific antigens. The aim of this paper is to provide nephrologists and oncologists with theoretical knowledge to provide better medical management for recipients who receive BsAbs, especially T-cell-engaging BsAbs treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The neddylation pathway assumes a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of cancer. MLN4924, a potent small-molecule inhibitor of the NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE), effectively intervenes in the early stages of the neddylation pathway. By instigating diverse cellular responses, such as senescence and apoptosis in cancer cells, MLN4924 also exerts regulatory effects on non-malignant cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor virus-infected cells, thereby impeding the onset of tumors. Consequently, MLN4924 has been widely acknowledged as a potent anti-cancer drug. (2) Recent findings: Nevertheless, recent findings have illuminated additional facets of the neddylation pathway, revealing its active involvement in various biological processes detrimental to the survival of cancer cells. This newfound understanding underscores the dual role of MLN4924 in tumor therapy, characterized by both anti-cancer and pro-cancer effects. This dichotomy is herein referred to as the "double-edged effects" of MLN4924. This paper delves into the intricate relationship between the neddylation pathway and cancer, offering a mechanistic exploration and analysis of the causes underlying the double-edged effects of MLN4924—specifically, the accumulation of pro-cancer neddylation substrates. (3) Perspectives: Here, the objective is to furnish theoretical support and novel insights that can guide the development of next-generation anti-cancer drugs targeting the neddylation pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, which emphasizes the need for its early and accurate diagnosis and prognosis. Our review explores AI's potential in this field, analyzing 89 recent studies from 2020 through 2023. Specifically, these studies included AI applications for the analysis of multi-omics data: radiomics, pathomics, clinical records, and lab data. Notably, eight studies combined diverse omics data types (genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, and proteomics). Integration of AI for the analysis of clinical and omics data contributes to a significant advancement and is essential for safe clinical implementation. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death, making timely diagnosis and prognosis very important. Utilization of AI (artificial intelligence) enables providers to organize and process patient data in a way that can lead to better overall outcomes. This review paper aims to look at the varying uses of AI for diagnosis and prognosis and clinical utility. PubMed and EBSCO databases were utilized for finding publications from 1 January 2020 to 22 December 2023. Articles were collected using key search terms such as "artificial intelligence" and "machine learning." Included in the collection were studies of the application of AI in determining cancer diagnosis and prognosis using multi-omics data, radiomics, pathomics, and clinical and laboratory data. The resulting 89 studies were categorized into eight sections based on the type of data utilized and then further subdivided into two subsections focusing on cancer diagnosis and prognosis, respectively. Eight studies integrated more than one form of omics, namely genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, and proteomics. Incorporating AI into cancer diagnosis and prognosis alongside omics and clinical data represents a significant advancement. Given the considerable potential of AI in this domain, ongoing prospective studies are essential to enhance algorithm interpretability and to ensure safe clinical integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Patients with pediatric liver cancers hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma very often develop lung metastases. These cancers can present with lung metastases and are at higher risk of relapse. Although cisplatin is very effective at clearing lung metastases, they can still relapse. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop therapeutic approaches to prevent the development of lung metastases in patients with pediatric liver cancers. In this paper, we show that the metastatic microenvironment of HBL and HCC patients contains a heterogeneous cell population that formed tumor clusters. We found that both fresh primary tumors and generated primary cell cultures had increased the expression of HDAC1, a histone deacetylase, and the transcription factor Sp5. Sp5 and HDAC1 work in tandem by transporting HDAC1 to the promoters of genes and changing their expression. We analyzed the effects of the HDAC inhibitor, SAHA, on the metastasis-initiating cells in combination with cisplatin. We found that HDAC inhibition increases the efficacy of cisplatin to eliminate these metastasis-initiating cells. The pediatric liver cancers, hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, are dangerous cancers which often spread to the lungs. Although treatments with cisplatin significantly improve outcomes, cisplatin may not eliminate metastasis-initiating cells. Our group has recently shown that the metastatic microenvironments of hepatoblastoma contain Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) and neuron-like cells, which initiate cancer spread from liver to lungs. In this study, we found that these cells express high levels of HDAC1; therefore, we examined if histone deacetylase inhibition improves cisplatin anti-proliferative effects and reduces the formation of tumor clusters in pediatric liver cancer metastatic microenvironments. Methods: New cell lines were generated from primary hepatoblastoma liver tumors (hbl) and lung metastases (LM) of HBL patients. In addition, cell lines were generated from hepatocellular neoplasm, not otherwise specified (HCN-NOS) tumor samples, and hcc cell lines. Hbl, LM and hcc cells were treated with cisplatin, SAHA or in combination. The effect of these drugs on the number of cells, formation of tumor clusters and HDAC1-Sp5-p21 axis were examined. Results: Both HBL and HCC tissue specimens have increased HDAC1-Sp5 pathway activation, recapitulated in cell lines generated from the tumors. HDAC inhibition with vorinostat (SAHA) increases cisplatin efficacy to eliminate CAFs in hbl and in hcc cell lines. Although the neuron-like cells survive the combined treatments, proliferation was inhibited. Notably, combining SAHA with cisplatin overcame cisplatin resistance in an LM cell line from an aggressive case with multiple metastases. Underlying mechanisms of this enhanced inhibition include suppression of the HDAC1-Sp5 pathway and elevation of an inhibitor of proliferation p21. Similar findings were found with gemcitabine treatments suggesting that elimination of proliferative CAFs cells is a key event in the inhibition of mitotic microenvironment. Conclusions: Our studies demonstrate the synergistic benefits of HDAC inhibition and cisplatin to eliminate metastasis-initiating cells in pediatric liver cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Psychological suffering in patients with Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is different from the one experienced by patients with other cancers due to its occupational or environmental etiology and its peculiar symptomatology and prognosis (i.e., poor prognosis, reduced effectiveness of the therapies, poor quality of residual life, and advanced age at the time of diagnosis). Therefore, the Mesothelioma Psychological Distress Tool‐Patients (MPDT‐P) has been developed to evaluate the specific profile of psychological suffering in this population. This paper describes the item selection, factor analysis, and psychometric evaluation of the revised MPDT‐P. Methods: The analyses of the current work aimed to confirm the factorial structure found in the first version of the MPDT‐P. In the case of nonfit, it aimed to find an alternative structure and causes of nonfit in the model. The search for the fit of the factorial model was conducted using a Bayesian approach. Results: The two‐factor model reported in the first version of the instrument did not fit the data. Confirmatory Bayesian analyses showed adequate fit for the three‐factor solution. Based on the content of the items, we labeled the factors as dysfunctional emotions, claims for justice, and anxieties about the future. Conclusions: Integrating the MPDT‐P into clinical practice could help clinicians gain insight into the specific suffering related to MM and investigate potential differences related to different occupational and environmental exposure contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer genomic services (CGS) can support genetic risk‐stratified cancer prevention and treatment. Racial/ethnic minority groups are less likely to access and utilize CGS compared with non‐Hispanic Whites. Little research has described characteristics of interventions targeted at CGS among Latinos. This scoping review aimed to (1) describe interventions promoting uptake of CGS among Latinos in the United States and Latin America, (2) describe intervention adaptations for Latino participants, and (3) summarize intervention implementation factors suggested by reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE‐AIM) framework. We conducted a search in English and Spanish of literature published between 2005 and 2022 across PubMed and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature databases. Sixteen of 2344 papers met the inclusion criteria of the analysis. Efforts to promote CGS among Latino communities were limited in the US and lower in Latin America. This review highlights the need for in‐depth exploration of acculturation‐informed interventions and better reporting on implementation factors to enhance their scalability across diverse settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early detection of the adenocarcinoma cancer in colon tissue by means of explainable deep learning, by classifying histological images and providing visual explainability on model prediction. Considering that in recent years, deep learning techniques have emerged as powerful techniques in medical image analysis, offering unprecedented accuracy and efficiency, in this paper we propose a method to automatically detect the presence of cancerous cells in colon tissue images. Various deep learning architectures are considered, with the aim of considering the best one in terms of quantitative and qualitative results. As a matter of fact, we consider qualitative results by taking into account the so-called prediction explainability, by providing a way to highlight on the tissue images the areas that from the model point of view are related to the presence of colon cancer. The experimental analysis, performed on 10,000 colon issue images, showed the effectiveness of the proposed method by obtaining an accuracy equal to 0.99. The experimental analysis shows that the proposed method can be successfully exploited for colon cancer detection and localisation from tissue images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy and remains a major cause of skin cancer mortality, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies. Recent findings revealed that L‐kynurenine and quinolinic acid induce cytotoxicity and morphological changes in B16 F10 melanoma cells in vitro. This paper highlights the effects of L‐kynurenine and quinolinic acid at previously determined half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations on cell cycle progression, cell death and extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase inhibition. Melanoma, B16 F10 and murine macrophages, RAW 264.7 cells were used in this study, as both cell lines express all the enzymes associated with the kynurenine pathway. Post exposure to the compounds at half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations, transmission electron microscopy was used to assess intracellular morphological changes. Flow cytometry was used to analyse cell cycle progression and quantify apoptosis via the dual staining of Annexin V and propidium iodide and cell survival via extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase. L‐kynurenine and quinolinic acid at half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations induced intracellular morphological changes representative of cell death. Flow cytometry revealed alterations in cell cycle distribution, increased apoptosis and significantly inhibition of cell survival. L‐kynurenine and quinolinic acid are exogenous kynurenine compounds which inhibited cell survival through extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase inhibition, induced cell cycle alterations and induced apoptosis in B16 F10 melanoma cells. Significance statement: Data obtained in the current study revealed information regarding the in vitro effects of L‐kynurenine and quinolinic acid on B16 F10 melanoma cell cycle progression, intracellular morphology, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 inhibition and cell death. Evaluating the therapeutic effects of kynurenine metabolites against melanoma may potentially result in improved future cancer treatment options to manage the global melanoma burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the effectiveness of brief reminiscence‐based psychosocial interventions in alleviating psychological distress in cancer patients. Background: Cancer patients suffer tremendous psycho‐spiritual pain, which affects their quality of life. Brief reminiscence‐based psychosocial interventions have demonstrated positive effects on the mental health of cancer patients; however, the efficacy of these interventions has been inconsistent. Design: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods: This review was conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 checklist provided by the EQUATOR network. The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus databases were systematically searched from inception to 27 November 2022 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English. Results: Twenty studies involving 1744 cancer participants were included. The meta‐analysis showed statistically significant effects of brief reminiscence‐based psychosocial interventions on hope, anxiety and depression at post‐intervention. A separate analysis revealed that brief reminiscence‐based psychosocial interventions had a sustainable effect on hope, spiritual well‐being, anxiety and depression at 1 month after the intervention. However, no statistically significant effect on quality of life was found in our study either immediately after the intervention or at 1 month. Conclusions: Brief reminiscence‐based psychosocial interventions can significantly reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms and improve hope and spiritual well‐being in cancer patients. Relevance to Clinical Practice: This study further supports that brief reminiscence‐based psychosocial interventions should be incorporated into the routine care of cancer patients to address their psychosocial distress. Patient or Public Contribution: All authors of this article contributed to the study conception and design. All authors of the included studies provided original data for this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing recognition that social risk factors influence individual and population health has generated stakeholder support in the promotion of health equity, bridging partnerships across health care, public health, and social service sectors. The integration of social care into health care delivery requires routine screening to identify and address health-related social needs (HRSN). Screening tools must be short, accessible, and inclusive and accurately reflect potential risks to prioritize tailored interventions. However, HRSNs are also sensitive and can prompt additional ethical concerns when integrated with clinical practice in medical care. This paper examines the psychometric properties of three stakeholder-driven HRSN screening tools to identify adverse, unmet risks among oncology patients. Further research is needed to ensure social needs initiatives protect sensitive social data in electronic health records and that patients with complex medical and social needs receive comprehensive resources through targeted service connections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression, frequently associated with cancer, significantly impacts health outcomes, necessitating effective treatments. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to synthesize and critically evaluate the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the efficacy of nurse-led psychological interventions in managing depression among adult cancer patients. It focuses on the unique contribution of these interventions to improving depression management in oncology care, an underrepresented area in the existing literature. We conducted a comprehensive search in databases including Scopus, Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, applying strict criteria to select RCTs assessing nurse-led psychological interventions for depression in cancer patients. We used the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool to assess study quality. Out of 425 screened abstracts, nine papers describing seven distinct interventions involving 1463 participants were selected. The overall effect size estimate of −0.75 (95% confidence interval: −1.23 to −0.27) indicates significant effectiveness of these interventions in reducing depression compared to treatment as usual. Additionally, the calculated prediction interval highlights the variability in effectiveness across different settings, suggesting that contextual factors play a crucial role in the success of these interventions. The findings advocate for the integration of nurse-led psychological interventions into standard cancer care, highlighting their efficacy in improving depressive symptoms in adult cancer patients. These interventions show promise but require further refinement and research to optimize their effectiveness across diverse patient groups and healthcare settings. This review underscores the potential of nurse-led psychological interventions in enriching oncology care and addresses a critical gap in the existing body of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attaining a successful career in cancer surgery depends on many choices. In this paper based on the Letton Lecture from the 2023 Southeastern Surgical Conference, Dr. Jennifer Tseng reflects on the choices that enabled her current work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celyvir is an advanced therapy medicine, consisting of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) containing the oncolytic virus ICOVIR 5. This paper sets out a dynamic system which attempts to capture the fundamental relationships between cancer, the immune system and adenoviruses. Two forms of treatment were studied: continuous and periodic, the second being closer to the real situation. In the analysis of the first model, in addition to identifying the critical points, their properties and bifurcation points, a number of numerical simulations were carried out. It has thus been shown that there are bistability regimes in which Celyvir can produce an equilibrium of tumor progression, or even freedom from tumor. A sensitivity analysis was also performed to determine which parameters are most important in the system. Subsequently, an optimal control problem with nonlinear objective functional has been formulated, where the therapeutic goal is not only to minimize the size of the tumor cell population and the total cost of treatment, but also to prevent the tumor from reaching a critical size. It has been shown that the optimal control is bang–bang. With the second model, a threshold value of viral load has been identified at which the success of the treatment could be ensured. It is clear in both models that a low viral load would lead to relapse of the disease. Finally, it is shown that a periodic bang–bang regime should be used to optimize treatment with Celyvir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent advances in tumor diagnosis and treatment technologies, the number of cancer cases and deaths worldwide continues to increase yearly, creating an urgent need to find new methods to prevent or treat cancer. Sulforaphane (SFN), as a member of the isothiocyanates (ITCs) family, which is the hydrolysis product of glucosinolates (GLs), has been shown to have significant preventive and therapeutic cancer effects in different human cancers. Early studies have shown that SFN scavenges oxygen radicals by increasing cellular defenses against oxidative damage, mainly through the induction of phase II detoxification enzymes by nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). More and more studies have shown that the anticancer mechanism of SFN also includes induction of apoptotic pathway in tumor cells, inhibition of cell cycle progression, and suppression of tumor stem cells. Therefore, the application of SFN is expected to be a necessary new approach to treating cancer. In this paper, we review the multiple molecular mechanisms of SFN in cancer prevention and treatment in recent years, which can provide a new vision for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spinal cord compression is a formidable complication of advanced cancer, and clinicians of copious specialities often have to encounter significant complex challenges in terms of diagnosis, management, and prognosis. Metastatic lesions from cancer are a common cause of spinal cord compression, affecting a substantial portion of oncology patients, and only in the US has the percentage risen to 10%. Acute metastasis-correlated spinal cord compression poses a considerable clinical challenge, necessitating timely diagnosis and intervention to prevent neurological deficits. Clinical presentation is often non-specific, emphasizing the importance of thorough evaluation and appropriate differential diagnosis. Diagnostic workup involves various imaging modalities and laboratory studies to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of compression. Treatment strategies focus on pain management and preserving spinal cord function without significantly increasing patient life expectancy, while multidisciplinary approaches are often required for optimal outcomes. Prognosis depends on several factors, highlighting the importance of early intervention. We provide an up-to-date overview of acute spinal cord compression in metastases, accentuating the importance of comprehensive management strategies. Objectives: This paper extensively explores the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies, treatment modalities, and prognosis associated with spinal cord metastases. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Conclusions: We aim to help healthcare professionals make informed clinical decisions when treating patients with spinal cord metastases by synthesizing current evidence and clinical insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a significant global public health issue with increasing morbidity and mortality rates. To address this challenge, novel drug carriers such as nano-materials, liposomes, hydrogels, fibers, and microspheres have been extensively researched and utilized in oncology. Among them, polymer microspheres are gaining popularity due to their ease of preparation, excellent performance, biocompatibility, and drug-release capabilities. This paper categorizes commonly used materials for polymer microsphere preparation, summarizes various preparation methods (emulsification, phase separation, spray drying, electrospray, microfluidics, and membrane emulsification), and reviews the applications of polymer microspheres in cancer diagnosis, therapy, and postoperative care. The current status and future development directions of polymer microspheres in cancer treatment are analyzed, highlighting their importance and potential for improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The rising incidence of cancer is a major threat to patients and healthcare services worldwide. It is therefore important to search for novel therapies and new drugs. Honokiol, found in the bark of the magnolia tree, has many properties, including anticancer activity. However, its potential use is limited due to its poor solubility in water. The present study aimed to review the available studies using modern delivery systems for honokiol and determine their anticancer efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and the effectiveness of treatment is consistently not at a satisfactory level. This review thoroughly examines the present knowledge and perspectives of honokiol (HON) in cancer therapeutics. The paper synthesizes critical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed anticancer effects, emphasizing both in vitro and in vivo studies. The effects of HON application, primarily in the common types of cancers, are presented. Because the therapeutic potential of HON may be limited by its physicochemical properties, appropriate delivery systems are sought to overcome this problem. This review discusses the effect of different nanotechnology-based delivery systems on the efficiency of HON. The data presented show that HON exhibits anticancer effects and can be successfully administered to the site of action. Honokiol exerts its anticancer activity through several mechanisms. Moreover, some authors used the combinations of classical anticancer drugs with HON. Such an approach is very interesting and worth further investigation. Understanding HON's multiple molecular mechanisms would provide valuable insights into how HON might be developed as an effective therapeutic. Therefore, further research is needed to explore its specific applications and optimize its efficacy in diverse cancer types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an overview of the interconnection between various factors related to both cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, chronic inflammation, and obesity are involved in the development and progression of both diseases but, strong evidence for a direct causal relationship between diabetes and cancer, is lacking. Several studies described a relationship between hyperglycemia and cancer at the cellular, tissular and organismic levels but at the same time recent Mendelian randomization studies proved a significant causal relationship only between hyperglycemia and breast cancer. On the other hand, the association between both hyperinsulinemia and obesity and several cancer types appears to be robust as demonstrated by Mendelian randomized studies. Metabolic alterations, including the Warburg effect and excessive glucose consumption by tumors, are discussed, highlighting the potential impact of dietary restrictions, such as fasting and low-carb diets, on tumor growth and inflammation. Recent data indicates that circulating branched-chain amino acids levels, may represent novel biomarkers that may contribute to both better diabetes control and early pancreatic cancer detection. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and shared risk factors between cancer and T2DM can provide valuable insights for cancer prevention, early detection, and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) is a multi-domain serine/threonine protein kinase that causes downstream signal transduction and biological effects by phosphorylating specific proteins. In recent years, with the in-depth study of RIPK1, scholars have found that it is of great significance in autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and a variety of solid tumors and hematological tumors. On the one hand, RIPK1 promotes cell survival and inflammatory responses by activating specific pathways such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). On the other hand, RIPK1 promotes apoptosis by interacting with cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-8 (caspase-8), or promotes necroptosis by interacting with RIPK3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). As an upstream signal, RIPK1 has different expression levels in patients with different tumors. Its scaffold function and kinase activity can regulate cancer progression, initiate adaptive immunity, inhibit tumor progression, and generate an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to promote tumor development. Its dual role has been demonstrated in regulating the occurrence and development of tumors and the body's immune response, and can be used as a new therapeutic target to control cancer progression. This paper starts with the structure of RIPK1 to further explore its function in regulating cancer progression and immune response, and to provide new ideas for the development of cancer-targeted drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]